Gallas set for Madrid after failing to bridge generation gap

William Gallas's relationships at Arsenal have soured and he is likely to move to Real Madrid this summer. The France international was involved in a dispute with one of the young players at the Emirates Stadium and he has failed to patch up his differences. That has left the defender isolated from the dressing room and manager.

"I knew the Arsenal team was young but day after day I have come to understand they really miss experience," said Gallas in an interview with L'Equipe last month. "We can't always rely on Thierry [Henry] and the youngsters have to understand it. Our young players have to do more."

Given that the 29-year-old's ability to impart his immense experience to callow team-mates was a key reason for his engagement at Arsenal, the tensions have diminished his value to the club.

There have also been issues with Arsenal's medical staff. Club physios were concerned that the long commute from his Surrey home to the Gunners' Hertfordshire training ground was aggravating the muscle injuries that have reduced him to 19 Premiership appearances this season.

Madrid, keen to bolster their chances of securing Jose Mourinho's services in the close season, have for months been monitoring the situation of the Chelsea manager's favourite defender and are reportedly preparing a £15m bid.

Madrid expect that sum to be sufficient to persuade Arsène Wenger to sanction the sale and Gallas, who has long been keen to experience another league than the Premiership and his native French Ligue 1, would be open to an approach. Internazionale, another club hoping to entice Mourinho, are also believed to have been alerted to his availability.

If Arsenal do permit Gallas to leave, the funds might be diverted towards securing Florent Malouda. The France international winger believes his time at Lyon has run its course and would turn down Juventus and Chelsea, both of whom are interested, in favour of the Gunners.